James A. Cress

All humans embrace the familiar and routine and resist that which challenges our comfortable, long-established patterns.

Few Adventist leaders are so well known and loved that merely their initials identify their ministry and mission.

I encourage ministerial secretaries everywhere to alert the elders throughout their territories about the appropriateness of giving honor to whom honor is due (see Rom. 13:7).

I feel fortunate to be alive.

Today, I believe we still have the opportunity to best represent Jesus’ character by a joyful countenance and friendly demeanor rather than stern, joyless approaches.

In order to effectively labor, pastors must place their associates in the best possible position. What, then, do they owe those who assist them?

You cannot visit all the members all the time. The reality of overcrowded schedules and overstressed ministers often leaves an awesome expectation gap between intention and reality.

We pastors seldom visit too much.

Our recent elections have moved us to a post-racial era where skin color is not the first criterion for evaluating a person’s potential.

As we launch this year of evangelism, we must confront the reality that many who once worshiped with us, now, for a variety of reasons, no longer fellowship with our church, or any other denomination

Scriptures compare the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to rain; special, abundant quantities of the Spirit preparing the soil for harvest.

Despite Jesus placing equal weight on both preaching and healing, we often focus just on proclamation with very little, if any, time left over for healing.

God is not only great, He is also green. No, not the color, like some cosmic Kermit the Frog; rather, green in the sense of being conscious of the environment and concerned about us, as His creation, being good stewards of what He entrusts.

In addition to some methods for catching the interest of potential attendees at evangelistic endeavors that we discussed previously (June 2008), the following ideas will help increase attendance and maintain continuing interest in your programs.

An illustrated Bible story caught my attention. The artist had taken dramatic license in the rendition of a hatchet that had sprouted hands and feet with little fins—the swimming ax head. Subsequently, I’ve discovered this story is much more instructive of God’s leadership principles than mere entertainment.

As thousands of congregations prepare to conduct public evangelistic meetings in 2008 and 2009, we need better methods for bringing people into our venues.

The Old Testament provides just such a map. We view the book of Joshua as a dynamic story of mighty deliverance, powerful acts, and conquering glory. Of course, Joshua is all this and more. But remember, this narrative is first a historical record of what had already occurred.

“Many Americans belong to the not quite Christian category: . . . They want the fruits or reward of faith, but seem to dodge the responsibilities and obligations."

Preaching that does not transform behavior has failed, whether we are preaching to our established members or to potential converts.

If the instruction of new believers produces isolationism or feelings of superiority, it has failed in its objective. Although knowing the truth will set you free, none can ever be saved only by the information they possess.

When I heard John Sweigart use the term Evangeliving, I knew it conveys the best definition for teaching evangelism as process more than event.

How to plan an oridnation service.

Our Adventist sense of mission and our self-image as the faithful remnant drive us to evangelize the world with a last-day message aimed at “preparing a people ready to meet the Lord.” Therefore, accurate understanding of prophecy, careful delineation of doctrine, and specific application of standards have been essential in our process of instructing new believers

If the dissemination of information alone were sufficient to accomplish conversion, then Seventh-day Adventists, of all people, ought to be spiritual giants. With our numerous publishing ventures and worldwide network of literature evangelists, the Adventist Church is the best thing that has happened to paper since the government talked people into taking it for money.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs demonstrates that once a person moves beyond assuring the essentials to sustain life and safety, the next priority is to “belong.” Further, the more change or trauma individuals have experienced, the greater their likely need for a new “reference group identifi cation.” For new church members the need to belong is essential.

Should you try making your church more like a tavern? Bruce Larson describes how the neighborhood bar becomes the substitute for the church in meeting the needs of unchurched individuals who are longing for friends: “It’s an imitation, dispensing liquor instead of grace, escape rather than reality, but it is a permissive, accepting, and inclusive fellowship. It is unshockable. It is democratic. You can tell people secrets and they usually don’t tell others or even want to. The bar flourishes, not because most people are alcoholics, but because God has put into the human heart the desire to know and be known, to love and be loved, and so many seek a counterfeit at the price of a few beers.”

“I believe that counting sheep is such a natural part of the shepherd’s life that Jesus took for granted His followers would know that. It is biblical to feed the sheep, but also to count them.”

Church growth studies show three components that are essential for new members to remain within the fellowship of a church: ability to articulate their beliefs, active relationships with friends, and meaningful personal ministry. With one of these missing, the member may survive in a weakened state. If two, the new member will already be moving out of the fellowship they had readily embraced.

One of the greatest reasons for serious reflection about which activities bring success for pastoral ministry may be our inability to distinguish what busy works are less effective than others and discard them.

Here we go again,” I thought as Pastor Reuben Roundtree Jr. announced that his congregation, for whom I was conducting a short evangelistic series, would experience a week of fasting.

In January we discussed a spiritual axis of evil that many churches eagerly embrace despite the deadly consequences of allowing this unholy troika of racism, social distinction, and gender discrimination to dominate.

The news was both devastating and scandalous—a renowned pastor exposed as a longtime homosexual. Imagine the pain, anger, frustration, and disappointment when he and his lifestyle were forced “out of the closet” into open scrutiny by the media. Like a pebble cast into still water, the scandal’s expanding ripples impacted ever-widening circles.

In the annals of history there have been times when nations have formed an axis of evil in which their own people or other nations have suffered. Borrowing this analogy, the church faces a massive threat to the very core of our spirituality— a massive threat that relishes prejudicial differences of race, class, gender, or heritage.

Consider a new approach that will renew your ministry to the extent you invest your energies in expanding your leadership team as the model and measure of pastoral success.

The author talks about the advantages and disadvantages of short-term mission trips.

Along with several itinerating colleagues, I teach a Bible class at our local congregation. Teaching schedules are determined by which dates we can attend our home church. Imagine my concern when I was scheduled to teach the lesson on Daniel 2, a prophecy that I have preached many times, but also one that most of my class attendees would have often presented. Searching for a fresh approach, I determined to present a verse-by-verse exegetical presentation of practical lessons that arise from the prophecy.

Simple mathematics illustrate why we must prioritize children. When we lead an adult to Christ, we add a soul, but when we bring a child to Jesus, we introduce a multiplier for decades to come.

The fact is, a genuine call to ministry cannot be limited to an individual’s own sense of God’s purpose.

How does someone know when they need help beyond their spouse, their friends, their church family, and their personal prayer and devotional life?

Our Ministerial Association has launched a fresh update of the 5-day plan titled Quit Now! You can utilize this fresh resource to provide more effective ministry to those encumbered with the tobacco habit.

A few years ago it was hard to go anywhere without seeing a plethora of lapel pins sporting the letters WWJD, popular shorthand for a serious moral consideration: “What would Jesus do?” This continues to be one of the most important questions sincere followers of Christ can ask.

We applaud the renewed interest in God’s commandments as evidenced by the upcoming, first-ever Ten Commandments Day. We also commend its sponsors’ interest in godly living, spiritual renewal, and the challenge of turning hearts and minds toward our eternal God and His unchanging law. As longtime advocates of a grace-motivated observance of the entire Decalogue by born-again Christians, Adventists can and should enthusiastically affirm those who are now standing up for God’s law in the midst of a world that appears to ignore it.

In addition to “abuse of platform,” in which we noted how some misguided believers think that publicly broadcasting their opinion guarantees virtue regardless of their behavior, other types of believers also behave badly.

Curious as it may sound to orthodoxy- loving minds, Jesus bases judgment not on our doctrines but on our behavior toward Him and the least of His brothers. That’s right! While Jesus loves and upholds the truth—Himself being truth personified—He demands that truth be spoken in love.

The unreality of most resolutions is in direct proportion to their inherent inability to be kept—this year I will reduce my weight back to the thirty-two inch waistline I enjoyed at age 13. Like Israel raising its collective hand to pledge “all that the Lord has said, we will do,” our promises focus on the intent of our own efforts more than on our expectations for heaven’s empowerment.

Soon after the death of my brother and four other colleagues in a tragic plane crash, I began seeing a psychiatrist to help me process the awesome loss and overwhelming pain.

For believers, hope is more than our heritage. Hope is more than even our destination. Hope is a journey, a process of moving our lives and the lives of our members from "here" to "there" through Jesus' power.

Perhaps the most important role of pastoral leadership is to inspire confidence among the members in God’s providential leading in the past and His divine guidance for the future.

Changes in the Ministerial Association

The 58th Session of the General Conference (St. Louis, Missouri, USA) came along and moved the issue of women in church leadership dramatically forward without the topic of ordination even becoming a debate.

Leaders demonstrate their character more clearly in adversity than in prosperity. Contrast the vacillation of Aaron with the faithfulness of Moses during Israel's delayed expectations.

Nearly twenty-five years ago I doubled my one fine-art print of Edward Hicks's Noah's Ark with a second ark. I inadvertently began a collection that, had I realized its ultimate size, I might never have chosen to expand.

Often we neglect the sobering work of discipling in favor of going back to the much more exciting process of gathering new converts. The dazzle of public preaching, coupled with the joy of witnessing thousands baptized, makes disciple-building seem mundane and, thus, easy to neglect. However, we neglect follow-up at our own peril and at risk to the kingdom we hope to advance.

I increasingly suspect both individuals and entities that seem unable to move beyond the one note they have perfected. Rather than engaging a wide range of options theological, practical, or liturgical these "same songers" seem content, even committed, to repeating over and over their one noise until the brassy clanging become so familiar that volume is valued over substance.

Planning one funeral for three mourning families to be attended by several thousand brings unique challenges, not the least of which is attempting sensitivity to the extraordinary pain of private grief lived out in the framework of public mourning.

How you as a pastor can help people going through hard times.

James Cress reflects on the women who have impacted his ministry.

Prophecy indicates God's church of the last days will experience the same challenges as the early church.

Why we are to pray for more and better reapers, rather than for a greater harvest

When an administrator telephoned to describe a congregation's warfare over their minister's platform dress, I remembered an illustration I had seen posted in scores of vestries over dozens of years.

Christ's great commission to spread the gospel to the whole world before He returns envisions far more than merely a checklist of "nations warned" as a result of bold proclamation.

Full force vitriol came from the writer's suppositions that I had stolen a sermon outline from him which he had cited from another minister at a seminar he believed I had attended.

The difference between dull, lackluster presentation and pulpit brilliance will be fashioned through the diligent effort of a detailed preparation process. Preach with a plan.

Many clergy parents are overwhelmed with anger, shame, guilt, self-condemnation, and resentment when their PKs depart their upbringing. God seems to have failed His own Word. After all, doesn't the Bible promise, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6)?

Try the apostle Paul's motto. Preach Jesus. Jesus only. Preach Jesus crucified. Preach Jesus as the antidote for sin. Preach Jesus as our Creator, our Example, our Substitute, our Assurance, our Mediator, and our soon-coming King.

Jesus was always "hanging out" with the wrong crowd. In fact, Jesus generally offended people because His behavior did not match their expectations of how ministry ought to proceed.

Across my desk last week came an amazingly harsh criticism of Mel Gibson's new movie, The Passion of the Christ, which depicts the final hours leading up to Jesus' death. I am not attempting critique of a film I have not viewed. I am critiquing an unfair critique which asserts that the movie is too full of blood; much more than is recounted by the gospel writers.

My congregation lived in denial until the moment our notions of how things "ought to be" were startlingly interrupted when a prominent member offered to lead an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group in our church.

Clifford Goldstein, well-known to readers of Ministry, and I discussed his just-released new book, Graffiti in the Holy of Holies.

Breaking many established rules of public evangelism: targeting homogeneous groups, featuring a well-known personality, maintaining consistency with the same speaker throughout, and thoroughly integrating programming to fit the audience's cultural expectations, IAD leadership launched a Year of World Evangelism initiative with eighteen different preachers (one from each union in their territory) in three different languages (Spanish, English, and French), beamed by satellite to hundreds of sites.

Approaching year end and anticipating opportunities and challenges in 2004, I'm praising God for several partnerships.

When Judge Roy S. Moore, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, surreptitiously sneaked a 5,280-lb. granite monument depicting the Ten Commandments into a state court house, he defended his illegal action by declaring, "I must obey God."

Every minister's recurring question is "What shall I preach?" I hope you ask earlier than the evening before your sermon. Friday-night specials are as deadly as a handgun to your church.

Your most effective ministry for any group in your congregation is not what you do to them or for them, but rather what you do with them. This is especially true for singles.

When Pastor Tercio Sarli, president of the mega-size Central Brazil Union, writes me twice about the same issue, the matter is clearly important. When this twice-scribed topic is expressing appreciation for pastors, the matter is clearly important to each of us, and its significance provokes us to publish this article simultaneously in Ministry, Elders Digest, and Shepherdess Journal, along with my personal request that every reader copy and distribute a copy to all church officers.

One often overlooked group consists of single individuals.

The followers of John the Baptist questioned Jesus, "Are you the One? Or should we look for another?"

I'm encouraged! Here are a few great ideas which may bless your own effectiveness in ministry.

Daddy, Mommy, are you going to die?" During the sniper attacks that terrorized metropolitan Washington, D.C., last October, more than one parent had to calm the fears of their children with assurance that may have sounded hollow even as they said the words.

Several months ago we discussed the power of a visit in the life of a non-attending friend who was reclaimed to the church by the initiative of a caring pastor. Expanding on this concept, I encourage you to implement the following concepts.

Everywhere our team travels we get questions, often variations on the same theme. Sometimes the questions are submitted in search of information, and other times individuals are in search of a platform to espouse personal views. I thought you might enjoy some typical questions from recent ministerial councils.

For Adventists to celebrate the 75th anniversary of any venture seems incongruous with our name. Although personally pleased with Ministry's continuing contribution as we reach our publication's diamond jubilee, my Seventh-day Adventist heritage leads me to apologize more than congratulate.

Ron and Sue Carlson are pastoral heroes to Sharon and me.

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." You know the tune you learned as a child. Today's blight of clergy child molestation might force us to reword the tune: "Jesus used to love the children; Now He doesn't anymore!"

When planning and organizing a meeting for pastors, a poor meeting is simply a mediocre meeting gone bad.

Sexual misconduct by clergy has dominated the headlines in recent months.

Recently we attended a meeting that refused to end. The sermon had concluded. Choirs had sung. Prayers, praise, and promotions were exhausted and two offerings had been taken.

As I've said before, one of my big blessings comes from seeing and sharing practical ideas.

Under the overall theme "Our Portion of the Power," North American Division's (NAD) Festival of the Laity combined a cornucopia of spiritual food and training seminars with an abundant array of resources for practical church growth.

Anyone who equates work related travel with fun has yet to endure their third trip.

When my college mate, Ted Mohr, invited me to visit Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) where he serves as president, I anticipated nothing more than one more tour of another denominational facility.

Jesus is under attack. This somber fact has profound and far-reaching implications for believers and unbelievers alike.

My friend, Maxine Leonhardt, is an example of such workers who are often called "support staff" for lack of better terminology.

Too often we act as if confession means nothing more than a quick acknowledgment of our propensity to sin coupled with a standardized apology for affronting God's holiness.

Taking the denomination's name to the public is part of the evangelistic arm of the Church. There is power in the name of our church.

Will the world listen differently now?

Reflections on recent tragic events

A falsehood can run around the world before truth can even get its shoes on.

Nearly thirty years after seminary my favorite professor gave me a new assignment.

A few months ago I was asked to email a brief philosophy of ministry to be shared with seminary students.

If a belief or practice never makes impact beyond intellectual assent to take root in daily life, we have fallen far short of evangelism's goal for new believers to experience new life in Christ.

What a wonderful concept!

I had believed that I prayed for my members every day.

Ordination sermons intrigue me.

As I have reflected and grieved over the past few hours for the life of a favorite relative, I'm impressed to share my experience with you.

At the opening of a new millennium, it seems particularly significant to return to the beginning.

Are you ready to die?" When my colleague and long-time friend, Harold Baasch, confronted me with this question, I initially thought he was enquiring about my salvation.

Perhaps no evangelist in history has preached to more people in more countries than Billy Graham, who, during more than a half century of public ministry, has avoided even a hint of scandal or impropriety.

Jesus' generosity toward sinners outraged the establishment of His day just as quickly as this column will aggravate some religious practitioners today.

I hope these good, practical ideas will awaken excellence in pastoral ministry for you.

Thirty years ago, June 7, Jesus gave me the greatest gift beyond His saving grace. Sharon became my partner in marriage, ministry, mischief, and mission.

How do we bring about revival?

Your congregation needs some big deals—events that highlight the presence and ministry of your church.

The hatred that welled up within me was shocking. I could not believe that I could despise total strangers with such vehemence.

We could do nothing more appropriate for the new year, or any new venture for that matter, than to call our congregations together in prayer.

The theme of our council, "The Way of the Cross Leads Home," emphasizes the Cross as the central focus of history and the necessity of allowing Christ's grace to permeate every aspect of ministry.

Pastors have the great privilege and responsibility to discover and recruit the very best laity leaders (elders, deacons, trustees) for God's church.

Now I believe churches should sponsor libraries and as a pastor I have encouraged laity librarians in two different congregations to establish a church library.

The greatest impact a pastor can make on the establishment of a new family is prior to the wedding ceremony during premarital counseling.

Let me encourage you with a real way to expand your staff without appealing for extra funding from the conference and yet accomplishing more ministry than you might have imagined possible

A meaningful program that demonstrated high spirituality and careful planning.

Departing and arriving ministerial staff